Ophthalmic drape with tear line and method

ABSTRACT

An ophthalmic surgical drape and a method of applying the drape to a patient. The ophthalmic surgical drape is made from a sheet having an aperture in the interior of the sheet, and at least two tear lines in the sheet extending from the aperture. The drape also has a field of skin compatible adhesive adjacent the aperture, with the field being traversed by the tear lines so as to divide the field into at least two portions. The drape may be provided in a folded condition in which tearing can be accomplished so as to divide the drape into two sections before the drape is unfolded. Also disclosed are two tear lines disposed along an oblique angle, and a method of applying the drape.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/016,154, filed Jan. 30, 1998, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/941,821,filed Oct. 1, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates generally to surgical drapes and methods ofapplying such drapes, and more specifically to ophthalmic drapes havingadhesive portions that allow them to be adhered to the skin adjacent theeye and methods of applying such drapes. It is also contemplated thatthe drape could be used for extremity surgeries, ear, nose or throatprocedures, tracheostomy or thyroidectomy, and breast surgeries, amongother procedures.

[0003] In order to perform surgery on the eye it is frequently desirableto apply a surgical drape to the patient to isolate the eyelashes andeyelids from the surgical site to improve exposure of the eye, andprovide a sterile drape surface to reduce the chance of infection. Forexample, in refractive surgery, draping may be primarily performed topull eyelids and eyelashes away from the eye, and keep them out of theway of the surgical instruments such as microkeratomes.

[0004] One product used for this purpose is the Model 1020 ophthalmicdrape commercially available from Minnesota Mining and ManufacturingCompany, St. Paul, Minn. This drape includes a sheet of material havinga generally round aperture roughly in the center. A field of skincompatible adhesive contacts a portion of one side of the sheet adjacentthis aperture. This adhesive allows the drape to be adhered around thepatient's eye, and the rest of the sheet drapes down over the patient'shead, hair and face to provide a sterile surface over these areas.

[0005] A difficulty arises in that the eye is a delicate structure andthe eyelids are very flexible and not the same size and shape indifferent individuals. In actual practice, medical practitionerssometimes find it inconvenient to conform the margins of the aperture tothe edges of a particular patient's eyelids. When this occurs, oneexpedient that is known to some practitioners is to cut the drape,either partly or else completely into two sections, typically but notalways before applying the drape to the patient. This is done to relievetension in stretched areas, prevent bunching of the adhesive field, andallow the margin of the aperture to be more closely conformed to themargin of the patient's eye. In addition, cutting the drape beforeapplication is the preferred practice of many surgeons in order tofacilitate one person applying the drape to the upper eyelid firstwithout adhering the lower portions of the adhesive field to the lowereyelid until ready to do so.

[0006] It will be appreciated that this expedient is not without itsdrawbacks. Making such a cut will require the presence of a sterilescissors or the like. Also, making an appropriate cut is inconvenient todo while attempting to preserve the sterility of the drape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention provides a ophthalmic surgical drape and a methodof draping the eye for ophthalmic surgery that allow the drape to beeasily conformed to both lids of the eye by a single person withoutadditional tools. This invention solves the problems discussed above byproviding a method of applying an ophthalmic drape so that it can easilybe adhered to both the upper and lower margins of the eye withoutrequiring the use of separate instruments for cutting and adjusting.This is accomplished by providing at least two tear lines in the sheetthat forms the drape at least in the region adjacent to the aperturethat permits access to the eye. The practitioner may then adhere aportion of the margin of the aperture to one of the patient's eyelids,and break as much or as little of the tear lines as necessary to createthe needed slack to accurately match the rest of the margin of theaperture to the patient's other eyelid. The drape may be completelydivided into two similar halves if such an action makes thepractitioner's task in accurate placement of the drape easier.

[0008] The invention provides a method of applying an ophthalmicsurgical drape to upper and lower eyelids of an eye of a patient. Asurgical drape is provided comprising a sheet having a periphery and anaperture spaced from the periphery, and at least two tear lines in thesheet extending substantially from the aperture substantially to theperiphery. The drape also has a field of skin compatible adhesiveadjacent to the aperture, the field being traversed by each of the tearlines so as to divide the field into at least two portions. The sheet istorn partially or completely along at least one of the tear lines.Depending on the size and shape of that particular patient's eyes, moreor less tearing might be needed, or it might be most convenient to tearthe drape entirely into two portions. In either case the practitionercan conveniently accomplish the matter without the assistance of anotherperson. The method also includes the step of adhering one of theportions of the field of skin compatible adhesive to one of the eyelids(e.g., the tipper eyelid). Preferably, the margin of the aperture iscurved so that it approximates the shape of the edges of the eyelids ofthe open human eye. Finally, the method then includes the step ofadhering the other portion of the field of skin compatible adhesive tothe other eyelid (e.g., the lower eyelid).

[0009] In preferred embodiments, the tear lines extend substantiallycompletely from the aperture to the periphery, which provides thepractitioner the greatest flexibility if substantial modifications needto be made to accommodate certain patients. Also, it has been found tobe particularly convenient to prepare the aperture with a curved,symmetrical margin, and have the points where the lines of perforationsextend from the aperture be on diametrically opposed points along themargin.

[0010] The tear lines may conveniently be a line of perforations in thesheet of material, or a scored line, or the sheet of material can beweakened by heat or some other physical process so as to readily permitand correctly propagate the desired tear.

[0011] As used herein, “tear line” refers to a line along which manualtearing of the sheet is directed by any of these mechanisms.

[0012] As used herein, “oval-shaped” refers generally to oval andelliptical shapes, as well as elongated curved openings.

[0013] In some preferred embodiments, it is convenient to protect thefield of skin compatible adhesive by adhering a release liner to thefield. The release liner protects the adhesives during shipping andhandling, but are peeled away by the user of the drape just beforeapplication to the patient. For the convenience during application, atleast one edge of the release liner may extend beyond the edge of theadhesive field to provide a tab suitable for gripping.

[0014] Also, in preferred embodiments, the drape is provided in a foldedcondition, folded so that the tearing can be accomplished so as todivide the drape into two sections, such as two similar halves, beforethe drape is unfolded.

[0015] With this in mind, the invention can therefore be viewed inanother manner. It can be thought of as an ophthalmic surgical drapecomprising a sheet having a periphery, an aperture spaced from theperiphery of the sheet, and a tear line in the sheet extending inopposite directions from the aperture to the periphery of the sheet todivide the sheet into two portions. Although there are two portions tothe tear line, co-linear on opposite sides of the aperture, thisembodiment is designed to be able to be divided before unfolding andtherefore it is convenient to think of there being one tear line in twohalves. This ophthalmic surgical drape has a field of skin compatibleadhesive adjacent the aperture, the field being traversed by the line ofperforations so as to divide the field into two adhesive portions, oneon each of the two portions of the sheet. The sheet is folded in thedirection perpendicular to the tear line, and also along the tear linesuch that the sheet can be unfolded over the tear line and the twoportions of the sheet separated from one another by grasping them andtearing the sheet along the tear before the sheet is unfolded withrespect to any fold that is perpendicular to the tear line.

[0016] Yet another embodiment of an ophthalmic surgical drape of theinvention generally comprises a sheet having a periphery, an aperturespaced from the periphery of the sheet, with the aperture havingopposite sides. In this embodiment, two tear lines extend along thesheet at oblique angles relative to one another substantially fromopposite side of the aperture substantially to the periphery of thesheet to divide the sheet into two portions. The drape has a field ofskin compatible adhesive adjacent the aperture, with the field beingtraversed by the tear lines so as to divide the field into two adhesiveportions, one on each of the two portions of the sheet.

[0017] One feature of the oblique tear line angle embodiment is that thetwo portions of the sheet are of unequal size. Most preferably, thelarger portion constitutes an upper portion that is placed over thepatients head and hair, with its adhesive portion affixed to the uppereyelid. The oblique angle (e.g., an included angle between the two tearlines of approximately 100 degrees) is preferably selected so that thelarger portion of the sheet completely covers the patient's hairadjacent the forehead and ears. This may reduce the chance of thesurgeon's gloves or instruments touching the patient's hair betweenadjacent drape portions. Surgeons typically work from above thepatient's head with the patient's body extending generally away from thesurgeon, so the larger portion of the drape of this embodiment alsofaces the surgeon.

[0018] Also, preferably, the oblique tear lines extend from oppositeedges of the adhesive field generally adjacent the ends of the long axisof the oval-shaped aperture rather than directly from the ends of thelong axis of the aperture. In other words, the oblique tear lines areseparated from the oval-shaped aperture by the adhesive Field.Relatively short tear lines are provided along the adhesive field in thesame direction as the long axis of the aperture between the oblique tearline and the aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] The invention will be further described with reference to thedrawing wherein corresponding reference characters indicatecorresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing, andwherein:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a top view of an ophthalmic drape according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 2a is a partial cross-section view of the drape of FIG. 1taken along section lines 2-2;

[0022]FIG. 2b is a partial cross-section view as in FIG. 2a, of analternate arrangement;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a top view of a second embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a top view of a third embodiment;

[0025]FIGS. 5a-5 c are stages along the final folding for the drape ofFIG. 1;

[0026] FIGS. 6-13 illustrate another preferred embodiment of the processfor folding the drape;

[0027] FIGS. 14-21 illustrate additional preferred embodiments of thedrape of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, a top view of an ophthalmic surgicaldrape 10 according to the present invention is illustrated. The drape 10comprises a sheet 12 (preferably of polymeric film material) having aperiphery 14. The sheet 12 has an aperture 16 therein, the aperturebeing at a position spaced from the periphery 14 of the sheet. A field18 of skin compatible adhesive contacts a portion of the upper side ofthe sheet 12 adjacent the aperture 16. Two tear lines 20 and 22 extendaway the aperture 16 to the periphery 14. A release liner 24 is removedin this view for clarity, but will be exhibited in FIG. 2.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2a, a partial cross-section view of thedrape of FIG. 1 taken along section lines 2-2 is illustrated. The fieldof skin compatible adhesive 18 may be applied by pattern coating, or itmay be convenient in automated manufacturing to provide it as asubassembly as seen in this Figure. Such a subassembly is prepared asdouble-stick patch 26 shown adhered to the sheet 12. The patch 26includes a backing 28 adhered to sheet 12 via adhesive 30. On the otherside of backing 28 is the skin-compatible adhesive 18, which willeventually be adhered to the patient. In this view, release liner 24 canbe seen protecting skin compatible adhesive 18 before use. Adhesives 18and 30 may be the same, or may be different adhesives as convenient andcompatible with the materials chosen.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2b, a second partial cross-section view ofthe drape of FIG. 1 taken along section lines 2-2 is illustrated so asto show the application of the field of skin compatible adhesive 18directly to the sheet 12 as a transfer adhesive. In this case, therelease liner 24 is pre-adhered to the field of skin compatible adhesive18 before the transfer.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, a top view of a second embodiment isillustrated. Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1, this Figure showsthat the aperture 16 need not be exactly in the center of sheet 12, andthat there is variability in the exact shape of the aperture to accountfor different types of patients and procedures. It will also be observedthat the tear lines 20 and 22 may include slit sections 32 and 34respectively, which permit the thicker portion where a patch 26 is usedto be torn more readily with the fingers.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, a top view of a third embodiment isillustrated. Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 3, this Figure showsthat the tear lines 20 and 22 need not be co-linear, but may insteadhave an oblique angle to each other. The oblique angle is preferablyselected so that the larger portion of the drape, which is used as theupper portion of the drape, completely covers the patient's hairadjacent the forehead and the patient's ears and adjacent hair. Forexample, the oblique angle, which is defined as the included anglebetween the two tears lines, may be approximately 100 degrees. It is nota requirement that the lines of perforations 20 and 22 extend all theway to the periphery, although such embodiments are currently consideredpreferred.

[0033] In use, the larger, upper portion of the drape shown in FIG. 4 isplaced over the forehead, hair and ears of the patient after affixingthe upper portion of the adhesive field to the patient's upper eyelidand pulling the eyelid to obtain appropriate exposure of the eye. Thelower portion of the drape may be used to pull the lower eyelid in thedirection away from the eye by affixing the lower portion of theadhesive field to the lower eyelid.

[0034] The sheet 12 is conveniently fabricated from many sorts ofpolymeric film, especially polyolefin film. The use of antistaticallytreated polyethylene film is currently considered preferred. The skincompatible adhesive 18 is conveniently prepared from acrylate adhesive.A discussion of suitable compositions can be found in coassigned U.S.Pat. Re. 24,906 to Ulrich, which is hereby incorporated by reference.For example, the acrylate adhesive discussed as Example 5 of that patentis suitable.

[0035] Alternatively, for some applications, the sheet 12 could befabricated from other materials, for example, sheet 12 could be ofnonwoven construction including but not limited to melt blown or spunbond webs.

[0036] A double-stick adhesive typically comprises adhesive tape withthe adhesive coated on both sides and a liner (e.g., a paper orpolymeric liner). Pattern coating may involve a printing-type process ordie coating. A transfer adhesive typically comprises an adhesive coatedon a first liner (e.g., paper or polymer, such as a polyethylene filmliner 32 with a silicone release coating, depending on the adhesive)that is removed before or after the transfer adhesive is put to use. Asecond liner (e.g., paper or polymer, such as a polyethylene film liner32 with a silicone release coating) may be laminated to the adhesiveeither before or after the first liner is removed.

[0037] The drape is easily prepared from an indefinite length of thesheet material, which forms the main part of the drape. For example, atthe first converting station, the indefinite length of sheet materialmay have adhered to it the transfer adhesive or double-stick patch withits release liner attached as discussed above. At a second convertingstation, the aperture and the lines of perforations are cut into thesheet and the transfer adhesive or double-stick patch with a rotary diecutter. Finally, a rotary knife cutter sheets off the finished drapesfrom the indefinite length material, which are then ready to be folded,packaged, and sterilized for the customer.

[0038] In particular, the embodiment of drape 10 of FIG. 1 can be foldedin a way so that the practitioner can conveniently divide the drape intotwo similar halves with one pull while the drape is still folded if thatsuits the practitioner's needs. Referring now to FIG. 5a, a finisheddrape 10 is being folded with two S-folds so that the two co-linearlines of perforations remain in the same plane. A second fold is made asshown by direction arrows 36 and 38 in FIG. 5b. Finally, a third fold ismade as shown in FIG. 5c so that all the folded segments of lines ofperforations 20 and 22 remain at the vertex of the final fold. Thisallows the practitioner to take a grip on the drape 10, at for examplecorners 40 and 42, and separate the drape into to similar halves withone pull.

[0039] FIGS. 6-13 show yet another embodiment of the ophthalmic drape ofthe invention, here designated 100. Drape 100 is similar to the drape 10shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, drape 100 has a generally rectangularoutline, and includes a generally elliptical or elongate eye opening102, a tear line 104 (which may be formed for example, by perforationsor scoring the drape), and an adhesive field on one surface of the drapein a generally rectangular area surrounding the eye opening. A releaseliner 106 covers the adhesive field. The tear line 104 preferablyextends in a direction defined by the long axis of the elliptical eyeopening 102. The preferred tear line 104 is offset rather than dividingthe drape in two equal sections. The smaller section 108 of the drape100 will be referred to as the “short side”, and the larger section 110of the drape will be referred to as the “long side”.

[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 6-13, drape 100 is folded to allow thepractitioner to separate the drape 100 into two parts without any priorunfolding. Throughout the preferred folding process illustrated in FIGS.6-13, the adhesive field and release liner 106 are kept to the outside,i.e., the drape 100 is not folded to cover any portion of the releaseliner 106. The preferred folding process is a follows:

[0041] A. The drape 100 is first folded as illustrated in FIG. 7 along afirst fold line FL-1 running through the long side 110 parallel to thetear line 104. The top folded area 112 should completely cover the eyeopening 102. If the longer dimension “L” of the rectangular drape 100 isabout 27.5 cm, and the tear line 104 is spaced about 7 cm from the firstedge 114, then the fold line FL-I may be spaced about 15 cm from thefirst edge 112 of the drape 100. The result of this folding step isshown in FIG. 8.

[0042] B. The drape is then folded as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10along a second fold line FL-2 in the direction parallel to the tear line104 in such a manner as to form an “S” or “Z” fold in combination withthe first fold. The folded edge 116 of the top folded area 118 shouldcover less than half of the area of the eye opening 102 and should notcover the tear line 104. For example, if the width “W” of the top foldedarea 116 may be about 5.8 cm, then the folded edge 116 will be spacedabout 1.2 cm from the tear line 104. If the height of the eye opening102 (i.e., the short dimension of the opening) is about 3.8 cm, thisexample will result in about 0.7 cm of the eye opening 102 being coveredor overlapped by the top folded area 118. It is preferred if thisoverlapped area is kept less than 1 cm. Alternatively, more than oneparallel second fold line could be provided, or this portion of thedrape could be “roll” folded.

[0043] C. The drape is then folded in thirds as illustrated in FIG. 11along fold lines FL-3 and FL-4 that are generally perpendicular to thetear line 104 and fold lines FL-1 and L-2. The result of this foldingstep is shown in FIG. 12.

[0044] D. The drape is then folded in halfalong a fold line FL-5 thatbisects the eye opening 102 in the direction perpendicular to the tearline 104. The results of this step are shown in FIG. 13. The foldeddrape shown in FIG. 13 may be separated along the tear line 104 withoutunfolding the drape.

[0045] The preferred folding process set forth in steps A-D above canreadily be employed with respect to the drape shown in FIG. 4 with thefollowing understanding: The direction of the inclined tear lines 20 and22 are not used in the process. In their place, use an imaginary linethat bisects the eye opening in a direction parallel to the edge of thedrape that intersects that tear lines 20 and 22. With thisunderstanding, the drape with the inclined tear lines 20 and 22 can alsobe folded in such a manner that it can be separated along the tear lineswithout unfolding the drape.

[0046]FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in whichthe drape 200 includes a tear line 202 (e.g., perforations) extendingfrom opposite ends of a generally oval-shaped aperture 204. Adhesiveregions 206 and 208 are provided along one surface of the drape 200adjacent the aperture 204 and tear line.

[0047]FIG. 15 illustrates a drape 210 of the invention, in whichinclined tear lines 212 extend from the ends of the generallyoval-shaped aperture 214 only part way to the periphery of the drape210.

[0048]FIG. 16 illustrates a drape 220 similar in some respects to thedrape 200 of FIG. 14 except that adhesive regions 222 extend along thetear line 224 inwardly from the peripheral edge of the drape 220 onlypart way to the central adhesive region 226.

[0049]FIG. 17 illustrates a drape 230 similar in some respects to thedrape 200 of FIG. 14 except that a central adhesive region surroundingthe aperture 232 is not provided in this drape.

[0050]FIG. 18 illustrates a drape 240 in which a tear line 242 extendsfrom both ends of a generally oval-shaped aperture 244 only part way tothe edges of the drape. An adhesive region 246 is provided surroundingthe aperture 244.

[0051]FIG. 19 illustrates a drape 250 similar in many respects to thedrape 100 of FIG. 14 except that the adhesive regions 252, 254, 256 and258 along the tear line 260 are separated by non-adhesive regions.

[0052]FIG. 20 illustrates a drape 270 which includes two generallyoval-shaped apertures 272 and 274, inclined tear lines 276 and 278,laterally-extending tear lines 280 and 282, and adhesive regions 284 and286 surrounding the apertures 272 and 274.

[0053]FIG. 21 illustrates a drape 290 similar in many respects to thedrape 270 except that the inclined tear lines are replaced by a tearline 292 extending between the apertures 294 and 296

[0054] It is contemplated for some uses that the aperture could be oval,circular, rectangular or any other shape suitable for the use. There canbe more than one aperture as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21.

[0055] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/941,820 filed Oct. 1, 1997 byYolla B. Levitt, Dennis L. Baker, Camille M. Hildebrandt, Mary K. Reedand Robert A. Davis (Attorney Docket No. 53659USA3A) on One-PieceOphthalmic Drape and Methods is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] As various changes could be made in the above constructions andmethods without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of applying an ophthalmic drape to theupper and lower eyelids of an eye of a patient, the method comprisingthe following steps: (a) providing a surgical drape comprising a sheethaving a periphery, an aperture spaced from the periphery of the sheet,and at least two tear lines in the sheet extending substantially fromthe aperture substantially to the periphery to divide the sheet into twosections; and a field of skin compatible adhesive adjacent the aperture,the field being traversed by each of the tear lines so as to divide thefield into at least two portions, one along each of the two sections ofthe sheet; (b) tearing the sheet partially or completely along at leastone of the tear lines; and (c) adhering one of the portions of the fieldof skin compatible adhesive to one of the eyelids; and (d) adhering theother portion of the field of skin compatible adhesive to the othereyelid.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein each tear linecomprises a line of perforations, the step of tearing the sheetpartially or completely along at least one of the tear lines comprisingtearing the sheet along at least one of the lines of perforations. 3.The method according to claim 2 wherein the lines of perforations extendsubstantially from the aperture substantially to the periphery, the stepof tearing the sheet along at least one of the lines of perforationscomprising tearing the sheet along at least one of the tear linescompletely between the periphery and the aperture.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 2 wherein the aperture has a curved, symmetricalmargin, and wherein the points where the lines of perforations extendfrom the aperture are on diametrically opposed points along the margin.5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the tear lines aresubstantially co-linear, the drape being provided in a folded conditionfolded in the direction perpendicular to the tear lines; the step oftearing the sheet partially or completely along at least one of the tearlines comprising tearing the drape into two separate sections; themethod further comprising the step of unfolding the drape after the stepof tearing the drape into two separate sections; and the step ofadhering the other portion of the field of skin compatible adhesive tothe other eyelid including positioning the two separate sections inoverlapping relationship.
 6. The method according to claim 5 wherein thestep (c) of adhering one of the portions of the field of skin compatibleadhesive to one of the eyelids is completed before the step of unfoldingthe drape.
 7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the tear linesform an oblique angle; the step of tearing the sheet partially orcompletely along at least one of the tear lines comprises tearing thesheet along both tear lines to form two separate sections; and the stepof adhering the other portion of the field of skin compatible adhesiveto the other eyelid including positioning the two separate sections inoverlapping relationship.
 8. The method according to claim 1 wherein arelease liner is provided on the field of skin compatible adhesive, therelease liner including two tear lines or slits paralleling the tearlines in the sheet to divide the release liner into two sectionscorresponding to the two portions of the field of skin compatibleadhesive; the method further comprising the following steps: before thestep (c) of adhering one of the portions of the field of skin compatibleadhesive to one of the eyelids, removing the corresponding section ofthe release liner from said one portion of the field of skin compatibleadhesive but not the other section of the release liner.
 9. Anophthalmic surgical drape comprising: a sheet having a periphery, anaperture spaced from the periphery of the sheet, and a tear line in thesheet extending in opposite directions from the aperture to theperiphery of the sheet to divide the sheet into two portions; and afield of skin compatible adhesive adjacent the aperture, the field beingtraversed by the line of perforations so as to divide the field into twoadhesive portions, one on each of the two portions of the sheet; thesheet being folded in the direction perpendicular to the tear line, andalso along the tear line such that the sheet can be unfolded over thetear line and the two portions of the sheet separated from one anotherby grasping them and tearing the sheet along the tear line before thesheet is unfolded with respect to any fold that is perpendicular to thetear line.
 10. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 9wherein the two portions of the sheet are equally sized.
 11. Theophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 9 wherein the sheet isformed of polymeric film material.
 12. The ophthalmic surgical drapeaccording to claim 9 wherein the tear line comprises a line ofperforations.
 13. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 12wherein the line of perforations comprises a multiplicity of slitsforming perforations through the sheet.
 14. The ophthalmic surgicaldrape according to claim 13 wherein the line of perforations include twoslits extending from the aperture substantially across the field ofadhesive.
 15. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 9 whereinthe drape is folded at least twice in the direction perpendicular to thetear line.
 16. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 9wherein the two portions of the sheet are unequally sized.
 17. Acombination of the ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 9 and arelease liner releasably affixed to the field of skin compatibleadhesive, the release liner being slit or having a tear line to dividethe release liner into two pieces corresponding to the two adhesiveportions of the drape.
 18. An ophthalmic surgical drape comprising: asheet having a periphery, an aperture spaced from the periphery of thesheet, the aperture having opposite sides, and two tear lines extendingat oblique angles relative to one another substantially from oppositeside of the aperture substantially to the periphery of the sheet todivide the sheet into two portions; and a field of skin compatibleadhesive adjacent the aperture, the field being traversed by the tearlines so as to divide the field into two adhesive portions, one on eachof the two portions of the sheet.
 19. The ophthalmic surgical drapeaccording to claim 18 wherein the tear lines each comprise a line ofperforations.
 20. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 19wherein the line of perforations comprises a multiplicity of slitsforming perforations through the sheet.
 21. The ophthalmic surgicaldrape according to claim 20 wherein the line of perforations include twoslits extending from the aperture substantially across the field ofadhesive.
 22. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 18wherein the sheet is formed of polymeric film material.
 23. Acombination of the ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 18 and arelease liner releasably affixed to the field of skin compatibleadhesive, the release liner being slit or having tear lines to dividethe release liner into two pieces corresponding to the two adhesiveportions of the drape.
 24. A method of folding an ophthalmic drape tothe upper and lower eyelids of an eye of a patient, the methodcomprising the following steps: (a) providing a surgical drapecomprising a sheet having a opposite end edges and opposite side edges,an aperture spaced from the edges of the sheet, and at least two tearlines in the sheet extending substantially from the aperturesubstantially to the opposite side edges to divide the sheet into twosections, the aperture being offset toward one of the opposite end edgesbut being centered with respect to the opposite side edges; and a fieldof skin compatible adhesive adjacent the aperture; (b) folding the drapealong a first fold line that is generally parallel to the opposite endedges to cover the tear line; (c) folding the first folded area of thedrape along at least one second fold line that is generally parallel tothe first fold line to uncover the tear line; (d) folding the drape inthird along third and fourth fold lines that are generally perpendicularto the first and second fold lines; (e) folding the drape along a fifthfold line bisecting the aperture in the direction generally parallelwith the third and fourth fold lines; and (f) maintaining the field ofskin compatible adhesive in an outward direction throughout the steps(b)-(e) so that the drape does not cover the field of skin compatibleadhesive.
 25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the two tearlines are generally co-linear and generally parallel with the oppositeend edges of the drape.
 26. The method according to claim 24 whereinstep (b) further includes covering the aperture with the first foldedarea.
 27. The method according to claim 26 wherein step (c) furtherincludes substantially but not completely uncovering the aperture withthe first folded area.
 28. A method of folding an ophthalmic drape tothe upper and lower eyelids of an eye of a patient, the methodcomprising the following steps: (a) providing a surgical drapecomprising: a sheet having a opposite end edges and opposite side edges,an aperture spaced from the edges of the sheet, and at least two tearlines in the sheet extending substantially from the aperturesubstantially to one of the opposite end edges, constituting the firstend edge, to divide the sheet into two sections, the aperture beingoffset toward the first end edge but being centered with respect to theopposite side edges; and a field of skin compatible adhesive adjacentthe aperture; (b) folding the drape along a first fold line that isgenerally parallel to the opposite end edges to cover the aperture andat least a portion of the tear lines; (c) folding the first folded areaof the drape along at least one second fold line that is generallyparallel to the first fold line to substantially completely uncover thetear line; (d) folding the drape in third along third and fourth foldlines that are generally perpendicular to the first and second foldlines; (e) folding the drape along a fifth fold line bisecting theaperture in the direction generally parallel with the third and fourthfold lines; and (f) maintaining the field of skin compatible adhesive inan outward direction throughout the steps (b)-(e) so that the drape doesnot cover the field of skin compatible adhesive.
 29. The methodaccording to claim 28 wherein step (c) further includes substantiallybut not completely uncovering the aperture with the first folded area.